"Intolerable Cruelty"

Directed by: Joel Coen

Starring: George Clooney, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Geoffrey Rush, Edward Herrmann, Billy Bob Thorton

Rating: PG-13 (for sexual innuendo, negligible adult language and brief violence)

Running Time: 101 minutes

Best Suited For: Romantic comedy avant-gardists, Clooney and Zeta-Jones fans, Coen Bros.’ fans

Least Suited For: Traditional "romcom" purists (Rock Hudson and Doris Day, these folks ain’t).

For better or for worse, "Intolerable Cruelty" is a cinematic prenup—a peek at the new face of the modern screwball romantic comedy. Much like "Chicago" (the new facade of the modern musical), the film infuses sass and sizzle—and some nicely developed plot twists—but it also corrupts old romantic notions. In their place, filmgoers are introduced to a new set of morality-free, unchivalristic and self-serving behaviors.

The characters are charismatic, yes—although not necessarily likeable. (At one point in the film, a hit man is hired.) They are as likely to stab you in the back as snuggle up on your pillow.

But it can make for some interesting foreplay.

George Clooney is ultra-successful Beverly Hills divorce attorney Miles Massey, whose challenge in life is to win the most hopeless of cases. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Marilyn Rexroth, money-grubbing wife of a wealthy real estate developer (Edward Hermann). When Mr. Rexroth’s infidelity is videotaped by an overzealous P.I., it seems an apparent slam dunk in divorce court. But Clooney’s courtroom tactics prevail and Zeta-Jones is left penniless. The catch? Clooney is smitten.

And so begin the antics that pass—one supposes—as 21st Century courting. Clooney wants love. Zeta-Jones wants money. Can the two forces coexist? Can two seemingly unlovable people find bliss together? The movie stretches the anticipation so thin that, even at its conclusion, I’m not certain anyone (even the characters themselves) truly knows for sure.

If there is a failing here—and some romantic comedy purists may view this as a fatal flaw—it’s that the script’s snappy pacing leaves little room for character development. The film doesn’t allow Clooney and Zeta-Jones adequate screen time together to fully develop their undeniable chemistry. As adversaries, they spend too much time scheming for love in their separate corners, emerging for short bouts before retreating again to revise their plans of conquest.

"Intolerable Cruelty" is gifted with an ensemble cast, including Billy Bob Thorton in yet another Cowboy guise and Edward Hermann (in one enviable scene, pillow-fighting a gaggle of teddy-clad blondes) and a nice scene-snatching performance by Richard Jenkins as Clooney’s hapless, spirited associate.

In a way, "Intolerable Cruelty" does for divorce attorneys what "Prizzi’s Honor" does for the Mafia—shows that even cretins can fall head-over-heels in love, but at a stiff price. (Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner conclude their relationship in a fight to the death; Clooney and Zeta-Jones end up in a more esoteric showdown, but most people wouldn’t want to take either couple home to meet the folks.)

Clooney—and at certain angles you’d swear the man has some Clark Gable or Cary Grant cloned in him—has his snake-oil sales pitch down to perfection. The con man persona ("Oceans Eleven," "Out of Sight," "O Brother, Where Art Thou?") agrees with him. Zeta-Jones grows increasingly stunning with every new film, her character both ruthless and sultry—and she manages to pull some clever rug from under Clooney’s shuffling feet. Clearly, Clooney’s Miles Massey and Zeta-Jones’ Mrs. Rexroth are made for each other (and their offspring undoubtedly destined for politics). They are a perfect couple for the times.

In a nutshell: "Intolerable Cruelty" is a moderately enjoyable film that, while falling short of satire, nicely spoofs the traditional romantic comedy. It is, however, scant on character development, which many purists deem a necessary ingredient for the genre. Still, it’s a well-crafted and decent distraction with some clever humor and nice trickery attached. Its biggest flaw is in rationing the obvious chemistry between Clooney and Zeta-Jones.

If you believe entertainment’s age-old motto of "always leave them wanting more," the film accomplishes that goal to perfection.